Sinchi Roca, Sinchi Rocca, Cinchi Roca (in hispanicized spellings), Sinchi Ruq'a or Sinchi Ruq'a Inka (Quechua for "valorous generous Inca") was the second Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco (beginning around 1230 CE, though as early as 1105 CE according to some) and a member of the Húrindynasty.[1]

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Family

His mother was queen Mama Ocllo (Mama Uqllu), while his wife was Mama Cura, of the lineage Sanu, daughter of Sitic-huaman. They had a son named Sapaca. Manco Capac, Mama Huaco, Sinchi Rocca, and Manco Sapaca erected the House of the Sun. He died in 675 at the age of 127, after reigning 19 years.[3]:35-36,40

Reign

Building program

The chronicler Pedro Cieza de León states that Sinchi Roca built terraces and imported enormous quantities of soil in order to improve the fertility of the valley.[4]

Teuotihi incident

Sinchi is known for the story of Teuotihi. Teuotihi was an Inca diplomat sent to a nearby kingdom to give a very important message. However, he was promptly killed on arrival and his head was sent back to Sinchi Roca. A war ensued, which ended with a decisive Inca victory at the Battle of Mauedipi. While in Inca legend this led to the dominance of Cuzco over the surrounding valleys, archaeological evidence and the testimony of other groups point that the Inca remained of little significance under his rule.

Sinchi came to be used as the title for a mayor or local ruler, while Cápac, one of his father's names, became the title for a warlord.